Ovation Applause Series AE35 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar  

I've wanted an Ovation / Applause round-back for several years. And recently I started looking at 12-strings, as a way to broaden the spectrum of sound. I really like this guitar, both unplugged and plugged in. I wish it was a little louder, acoustically, and had more bottom end, but overall it's a fantastic value, and a great beginners / intermediate 12-string guitar. It sounds fantastic plugged in, especially through a true stereo chorus amp. I've only been playing 6 string guitar for about 3 1/2 years, and 12 string for maybe six months, so this excellent value on a round-back is just what I needed.

When my Yamaha FG260 finally gave up the ghost after more than 30 years, it was time to find a replacement.  I own an Applause AA21 6-string, that I like a lot (both the sound and the action) so I considered an Applause AE35 both for the acoustic-electric option as well as to share a hard shell case.  I bought it and generally like the guitar.  Overall It's got that good 12-string "jangle" sound, with no buzzing.  I find the bottom end on the AE35 is not quite as solid as either my former dreadnaught or the Applause. I was a bit surprised given the shared deep bowl that would seem it SHOULD sound the same on the bottom end, but there you go. The action is good, though, and can be played most of the way down the neck.  I tried to tune it down two frets to reduce some of the stress on the neck, but I just didn't find it to be quite as playable that way.  I don't play it plugged in much, so I can't say much about the sound through the pickup and .  Overall I think it's a good guitar, and definitely a good value for the plugged in potential.  But if you're not playing it plugged in, you might consider a straight acoustic for a better bottom end.

I have been a steadfast ovation and applause player for years.  This is my second purchase of an Applause guitar in the past year. I also own a ae128 model 6-string.  I have owned many other 12 strings but the durability and great sound of this applause was the main reason for my decision for buying it.